First off, why noise?
Noise is music just like punk and pop and rap is music. Noise is just a more experimental and/or "avant-garde" approach to making it. It's outsider music. And while there are multiple definitions for that term, I mean it in the context of the music (art) that has no place in society, really. I exists on the fringes, in the depths, underneath and above. And really, anything can be combined with it. Although I like many times of music, noise is...well, there are not really words that I can put this in. I just love it. I'm obsessed with it, fascinated by it, inspired and moved by it. I love experimenting and making this kind of music. I love to improvise and I love to write performable compositions, all while having the freedom to improvise within my sets of boundaries, if any. I feel as if I'm an outsider of sorts. I don't fit anywhere within any sort of mainstream culture or subculture. I am not against them by any means, but I've been an outcast my entire life. Even in elementary school, I was too different to have really good friends. Noise seems as if it's a reflection of that, or a manifestation of what it was like growing up like that.
You are and have been involved in a ton of different projects, some avant-garde and experimental and some traditionally musical. Do you make any distinction between these kinds of expression, or does it all come from the same place?
I answered that a bit in the last paragraph, but I'd like to add that it basically all comes from the same place for me. In fact, some more traditional music is often a huge inspiration for me to create much weirder, more "new age" music. I can also say that it is usually some sort of, internal voice that nudges me in the direction of a project. Sometimes I have a particular itching to dive into a certain process or mood and that can sometimes mean putting away the electronics and getting out the acoustic guitar. Or perhaps making electronic dance music with computer software. It all sounds like me, to my ears. They are all different ways of expressing similar views, with the exception of some of the concept projects that are fueled by mindsets that I do not necessarily have.
You play shows quite often. What projects do you exhibit publicly the most and how do you feel that your noise stands out from the others?
I don't play as many shows as I used to, and it has been my doing.I was over-playing, and getting too emotionally involved with possible unplanned failures. As I've been learning to be more internal and self-centered (and self-aware) when playing (and recording), I've become more open to playing again. When I play, it's almost ALWAYS as myself (Justin Marc Lloyd, or JML) or the pseudonym Pregnant Spore. That is primarily an electronics/electro/acoustic/tape music endeavor. Sometimes with vocals or guitar.
Your imagery, both in the way you dress and the artwork on the music you release is very colorful. How much of this is a conscious attempt to stand out against to stand out against the very dour, black/white noise scene. Do you ever get flack from noisebros?
Standing out is not a goal nor something I'm concerned with. Naturally, in a lot of facets, I happen to stand out quite a bit. But it is only the result of me doing what feels good, what represents me on the inside, and how I feel organic and natural. To be honest, standing out a lot tends to make me feel a little uncomfortable and anxious. But I don't want to let that determine how open and real I am with the world and myself. I do get a lot of crap from people in this community and beyond. There are definitely a lot of artists and listeners with that harsh noise aesthetic around me that talk shit to their friends or on message boards and Facebook or whatever. I happen upon a forum or Facebook threads once in a while where someone has decided to mention my name and associate me with something silly, or they make fun of things I am actually associated with. The thing is, that is totally separate from me. Those behaviors are decisions that other people have made and they have no bearing on me or what I do.
It is disappointing to see people getting into noise and immediately latching onto the elements they think they are supposed to latch on to in order to be really involved. I see people starting labels and I see people starting labels and immediately focusing all of their artwork and messages on the cliche stuff. I’ve had labels send me artwork they wanted to present for a release as mine, riddled in collaged BDSM porn, mangled bodies, etc. So it’s kind of a formula that is common, and a lot of people just sort of assume all of us noise-heads are into representing our work with that subject matter or art style. It doesn’t matter though. As time goes on, people find their niche.
You’re very, very prolific. What motivates you to keep making art? Does inspiration every stop flowing?
It is rare that inspiration stops flowing. Whatever is motivating me has got to be biological and/or spiritual. It’s like a thirst. If I don’t quench it every day, I sometimes feel clouded and frustrated. I certainly don’t record every day, but I likely play or create music in some form every day. Even if it is just making some field recordings while I’m on the go.
You run a label, Rainbow Bridge Recordings, with a discography a mile long. How does quality control come into play when picking noise to release?
Well, there is high quality control. Like a lot of people first starting a label, you’re to even be contacted by anyone who wants their music on your label. I know a lot of those people are just looking for hand-outs, but gaining interest is a hard thing in this scene so it’s usually an honor to be sought out. However, in the past few years, I haven’t really taken or considered many submissions. I have a few friends I usually say yes to if they ask me to put something out because we are close. Other than that, I am usually seeking out the artist myself.
Do you see yourself as a sound artist or as a musician? Is there a difference?
No difference.
What music, noise or otherwise, are you currently enjoying?
I’m always enjoying trance, forms and offshoots of traditional emo (Suis La Lune, Mineral, Boys Life, Angel Hair, etc.), black metal, death metal, new wave, no wave, kraut-rock, ambient, rap, grind, power violence… I don’t really discriminate. I think bands suck, not genres. Except for male-fronted pop-country.
What bands are you involved in right now? What releases can we expect?
I am actually not involved in any bands besides some improvisational collaborations between friends and I. I am going nuts not having a band, though. I am likely going to start playing drums for this crust band once I get my drum set together. I recently picked it up from MD and I’m missing about half of what I’d need to play. I am also looking around for people to play music with so I can play my guitar and handle some vocal duties. My old band Age Sixteen is finally coming out with an LP re-issue of our first full-length and our songs from a split. The band has been broken up for a few years but there is a label in Italy who really enjoyed our music and they want to put it out. It’s really cool. I can’t wait.
Any final words?
Thank you so much for your interest in what I have to say, and your support of my work and thecommunity in general. Let me know if I can help support this publication in any other way! Peace.
http://www.ifitmoveskissit.net/
http://rainbowbridge.bandcamp.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment